FINAL REPORT ON REGINAL GEOCHEMICAL SURVEY FOR BASE METALS AND
LITHIUM IN SALAL AREA
The Geological Survey of India has for the first-time established Lithium ‘inferred’ resources(G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in Salal-Haimana area of the UT of
Jammu & Kashmir.
Regional geochemical survey for base metals and lithium was taken up in parts of
Udhampur district with the objective to geochemically assess promising areas/ zones for base metal
mineralisation in the Sirban Group of rocks and for lithium in the overlying bauxite crust during F.
S. 1995-96 and 1996-97.
During the course of investigation, an area of 350 Sq. Km was geochemically surveyed on
1:50,000 scale in Katra- Muttal- Pres- Sersandu- Salal- Panasa- Paoni- Ransuh- Chakar area along
with collection of 804 Samples for base metal and lithium determination involving 17 Cu.m pitting/
trenching. Besides, 70 samples were collected for petrological studies.
The main rock types exposed in the area belong to Sirban Group (Riphean), Jangalgali
Formation (Cretaceous- Eocene) Subathu Formation (Palaeocene- Eocene), Murree Group (Upper
Eocene to Lr. Miocene) and Siwalik Group (Middle Miocene to Lower Pleistocene)
The regional structure in the area is a doubly plunging NW-SE trending anticline with rocks
of Sirban Group in the core and younger Tertiaries fringing it. There is a major thrust along the
Southern side of the anticline along which Jangalgali and Subathu Formation have been eliminated
and the younger Murrees/ Siwaliks come directly in contact with the rocks of Sirban Group.
Specks and dissemination of galena mineralisation are reported in calcite/ quartz veins
within the rocks of Sirban Group. Besides, small pockets and lenses of sulphide mineralisation have
been observed in these rocks in Press, Khairikot, Sersandu, Matah Thanapal, Sangar, Manju, Gai
and Ransuh- Khori area. In the Anji Khad section near its confluence with Lalor Khad, a
mineralised zone about 1m wide and traceable for about150 m occurs in the form of chalcopyrite
and pyrite disseminations, stringers, pockets within these rocks. Beside, base metals, magnesite and
barite also occur within these rocks.
Sample have been collected for base metals from the above referred to zones from Sirban
Group and from ironstone shale and pyritous limestone of Subathu Formation. For Lithium samples
were collected from the Jangalgali formation.
Analytical results have indicated high values of Li (averaging 883.80 ppm), V (averaging
202.30ppm), Cr (averaging 209.96 ppm), Zr (averaging 718.12ppm) and P2 O5 (averaging
1606ppm) in the pisolitic and non- pisolitic bauxite columns. In view of the persistent lithium values and presence of wide spread bauxite column (palaeoplanar surface) at a number of places,
the prospect for lithium appears to be quite promising.
Investigation for lithium was undertaken in bauxite column constituting the upper part of
Jangalgali Formation unconformably overlying rocks of Sirban Group.
The bauxite crust represents a palaeoplanar surface whose eroded remnants are observed
intermittently throughout the belt from Muttal to Salal and further north- west upto Chakar on the
dip slopes of Sirban Group of rocks nut a larger part of bauxite planar surface, still unexplored, is
preserved below the Subathus in the synclinal structure. The former alone were investigated for
lithium and associated metals during the present work.
The solubility tests on lithium has indicated that the lithium is amenable to dissolution only
by hydrofluorisation with perchloric acid, which means metal is present either in silicates or in the
lattices of bauxite minerals. Mineralogical studies have failed to identify the mineral phase except
in one sample where cockeite lithium- mica) was indicated.
As regard base metals, higher values for lead (upto 14%) and zinc (upto 7.60 %), have been
indicated in spot samples only and no economically viable zones, could be located
PHYSIOGRAPHY:
Sirban Group of rocks in the area represent a rugged and mountainous topography with deep
gorges and cliffs and forms NW-SE trending with altitude alter varying from 400 m to 2700 m
above MSc The Trikuta stands out as a prominent ridge with highest point at 2708 m. The other
prominent peaks in the area east of Chenab are Bardan (1753m) and Kaunsal Dhar (2090m). In the
area west of Chenab, the Mundi Dhar, the extension of Trikuta stands out as prominent ridge with
prominent peaks of Khandwar (2000m), Jhungi (1866m), Mundi (1916m) Sangamarg (1883m) and
Ikhni (1970m). The rocks of Jangalgali and Subathu Formations occupy comparatively low
topography than the Murrees in the north and Sirban Group in south.
DRAINAGE:
The Chenab River and its tributaries form the major drainage in the area. It flows in the
westerly direction upto Arnas and takes a bend near Thanpal and flows in southerly direction
cutting across Sirban Group. Here the river makes a major loop, which has been dammed across for
construction of Salal Project.
The main tributaries of Chenab River in the eastern side are Samad Khad, Sersandu Khad,
and Sarangdhar near Bakkal. Anji Khad and Pei Khad are other tributaries, which join Chenab near
Reasi. The area east and southeast of Sukhwalgali forms the catchment of river and the main
streams flowing in the area are Dada Nala, Dudher Khad, and Jhajhar nala. These nalas together
with the main streams constitute trellis type of drainage.
In the Western part, Ans and Rad Khad are the main tributaries of the Chenab and in
Ransuh- Chakar area, Pauna Tawi Khad is the main drainage, which in turn is a tributary of
Thandapaniwali Tawi river.
Plenty of fresh water springs are seen in the rocks of Subathu Formation and Murree Group
but they are rare in Sirban Group and there is an acute Shortage of drinking water especially during
summer months in the terrain.
CLIMATE:
The area experiences a temperate to subtropical climate. The weather during the summer
period of April to June is very hot at lower altitude while the high hills have pleasant weather
conditions. The rainy season extends from July to end of September and during this period the area
receives sufficient rainfall and the upper reaches remain foggy.
During the winter months i.e., from December to February the precipitation is in the form of
occasional showers and light snowfall.
FLORA AND FAUNA:
Sirban Group of rocks bear scanty vegetation especially on its southern slope which support
sparsely distributed pine trees and as such appear more or less barren from a distance. Along the
northern slopes, clusters of pine trees along with Banz (Iri,) Kainth, and Kan trees are noticed.
Besides, walnut in the higher reaches and mango and sour pomegranate (Anar), Garna, Amla, Pipal,
Ber and Sisham in the Lower reaches are commonly seen. Thorny bushes shrubs and certain
medicinal herbs are other common plants.
The main crops include wheat, maize, paddy, potatoes, and pulses barley and oil seeds. The
higher slopes served as good pastures during summer and rainy seasons.
The wild life in the area include black bear, barking deer, monkey, languor, wolf, leopard,
jackal, python and snake. The domestic animals are buffalo, cow, ox, horse, sheep and goat.